Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Heather Ploen and her husband Jason are currently in the process of adopting an infant girl from Russia through Children's Hope. With their dossier in Russia since March, Heather writes of ways to keep the hope of parenting alive while you wait.

There are so many uncertainties and unknowns in international adoption. As one month rolls into the next with little news to share with family and friends, it's common to get discouraged. When things don't go as planned, and referrals take longer than you expected, how do you keep HOPE alive?

I'm no expert, but I am learning. Start with the simple things. Remember the creator and giver of hope, Jesus Christ. Pray for hope together with others going through the same thing. Read scripture verses that are hopeful. Make flashcards of your favorites and place them around your house, on the fridge or the bathroom mirror. Listen to music that makes you happy and uplifts your spirits. Take a praise walk and thank God that you are one day closer than you were yesterday to bringing your child into your forever family. Get creative - write a blog, crochet an afghan for your child, paint a picture, or carve a pumpkin with the word HOPE on it, whatever you can think of. I even wear a perfume called HOPE so I am surrounded in HOPE all day long!

I've found the best way to keep hope alive is to give it to others who need it. That's one of the reasons we chose Children's Hope International for our adoption. The name says it all - it's about bringing hope to orphaned children. In giving hope, I also receive it with the knowledge that someday we will welcome a child into our life and home forever.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13